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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the case thrown out for several causes including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative told the judge they planned to submit various petitions to throw out the legal matter before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the proceedings.

The former director's case was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who resigned under influence from Trump after his examination into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director came across in positive mood as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the court state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he grasped the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

While in office, James Comey caused a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, resulting in disapproval from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors allege Mr Comey provided false information to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They say he provided false information to the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted someone at the agency to leak to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director published to his social media after he was accused, he said he was innocent and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"We have understood for years that there are ramifications to standing up to the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "So let's have a trial."

The accusations against the former director emerged after Trump published on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and additional individuals.